The three Anglican Churches in Anguilla filled St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in The Valley to capacity on Sunday, February 10, 2019, for the induction of Assistant Priest, the Reverend Fr. Raliville Christian, a national of Antigua and Barbuda.
His appointment to Anguilla is in succession to Reverend Fr. Menes Hodge who has officially retired. It has also brought much relief to the Rt. Reverend Errol Brooks, OBE, who serves as a Parish Priest in his native Anguilla while busily travelling through the 12-member Diocese of the Northeastern Caribbean and Aruba in his capacity as Bishop. He is also the Senior Bishop in the Province of the West Indies.
At the commencement of his sermon, on the topic of being sent to minister, Bishop Brooks said: “Having served in the Cathedral Parish of St. John the Divine in Antigua, for several years, Fr. Raliville Christian has started a new ministry among us here in Anguilla. Today, we formally welcome you, Father. Over the past days Fr. Christian has accompanied me throughout the districts and shared with me in a number of services. I am pleased that everyone to whom I introduced him has been most welcoming. I trust that all of us will continue to support him in his ministry.
“Father, it is my hope and prayer that you will enjoy a long and fruitful ministry in this parish and on this island. We look forward to the day when you will be joined by your wife and other members of your family. We do not have any strength of our own. We rely on the strength of God and on His sustaining grace as we continue the journey together.”
Later in the impressive service, having delivered the charge to Fr. Christian, Bishop Brooks, assisted by the Warden, Mr. Ivor Hodge, and members of the Vestry, the governing body of the Church, presented him with the various signs of his ministry. “The signs point to the fact that we, who are ordained, are called to proclaim the Word and to administer the sacraments of the Church,” the Bishop explained. “God is calling us to be faithful in this exercise.” In his response the new minister spoke about his acceptance of the ministry and his commitment to serve.
A letter of welcome and best wishes to Fr. Christian from Archdeacon Terrence Rawlins of St. Maarten was read by Vestry Secretary in Anguilla, Mrs. Ingrid Lake. It stated in part:
“Welcome to the Northern Archdeaconry and specifically to St. Mary’s with St. Augustine and St. Andrew, Anguilla.
“The parish, to which you are assigned as Assistant Priest, has always been blessed with outstanding clergy, and I have no doubt that you will become one of them. Remain steadfast in your quest of building God’s Kingdom through prayer, service and outreach to others.
“The people of the Archdeaconry are eager to get to know you as you bring your own special qualities and ideas to the task assigned to you. I encourage all parishioners to work together as we seek to build strong parishes and communities where all feel welcomed and inspired, by the Gospel, to live God’s mission with faith, hope and love.”
Meanwhile, members of two church organizations were blessed by Bishop Brooks as part of the service. They were the reorganized and expanded Anglican Church Women Association, and the Vestry body comprising the Warden and members. The Vestry appointees were presented to Bishop Brooks by retired priest, Rev. Fr. Menes Hodge
